Multi-configuration clamp system for electronic device

ABSTRACT

A support system which allows for the use and mounting of a smart phone, or similar electronic device, in a variety of ways. The support system may be adapted to function as a hand grip while supporting the smart phone during image acquisition, or while watching images on the smart phone. In another configuration, the support system may be adapted to attach to the user&#39;s belt. In another configuration, the support system may function as a support stand. In another configuration, the support system may be mounted on a tripod. The support system may include a kit of parts which allow for the modification of support accessories to allow for different configurations. The support system may include a removable shutter which may actuate the camera functions via wireless communication.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/454,209 to Balmer, filed Mar. 9, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/306,589 to Balmer, filed Mar. 10,2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to mounting systems, and more specifically to amounting system and a kit relating to same.

SUMMARY

A support system which allows for the use and mounting of a smart phone,or similar electronic device, in a variety of ways. The support systemmay be adapted to function as a hand grip while supporting the smartphone during image acquisition, or while watching images on the smartphone. In another configuration, the support system may be adapted toattach to the user's belt. In another configuration, the support systemmay function as a support stand. In another configuration, the supportsystem may be mounted on a tripod. The support system may include a kitof parts which allow for the modification of support accessories toallow for different configurations. The support system may include aremovable shutter which may actuate the camera functions via wirelesscommunication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-configuration clip system with a hand gripaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a multi-configuration clip system with a hand gripaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a user using a multi-configuration clip systemwith a hand grip according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a multi-configuration clip system with a belt clipaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-configuration clip system with a belt clipaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of a user using a multi-configuration clip systemwith a belt clip according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of a user using a multi-configuration clip systemwith a belt clip according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a photograph of a user using a multi-configuration clip systemin an extended configuration according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a photograph of a user using a multi-configuration clip systemin an extended configuration according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is a photograph of a user using a multi-configuration clipsystem actuating the trigger in an extended configuration according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a photograph of a multi-configuration clip system in a tabletop configuration according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a photograph of a multi-configuration clip system on a tripodaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a photograph of a multi-configuration clip system on a tripodaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a central clip portion of a multi-configuration clipsystem according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a central clip portion of a multi-configuration clipsystem according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a central clip portion of a multi-configuration clipsystem according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a central clip portion of a multi-configuration clipsystem according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a trigger according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a belt clip according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a hand grip according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a hand grip according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 22 illustrates a multi-configuration clip system with a hand gripaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments of the present invention, an adjustable clamp isadapted to grip a smart phone or other device. The central clamp portionmay comprise two sliding members adapted to slide along an axis in orderto vary the length of the clamp. A locking mechanism is adapted to allowthe user to set the length by pushing on a tab. The ends of the centralclamp portion may extend perpendicular from the extension axis in orderto receive and clamp upon a smart phone. There may be softer pads insidethe perpendicular extensions to allow for some gripping as the pads arecompressed. In some aspects, a remote trigger may be mounted on one ofthe ends of the central clamp portion. The remote trigger may be used toactivate a shutter or otherwise control imaging of the mounted device.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first configuration 150 of amulti-configuration clamp system includes a central clamp portion 200.The central clamp portion 200 may have interlocking mating piecesadapted to slide along an extension axis to allow for clamping arounddevices of different cross-sectional dimension. A clamp set lever 102 isadapted to tighten and fasten the two mating pieces of the clamp portionat the desired position. In this first configuration 150 wherein theclamp system is adapted to facilitate hand held operation of a device, ahand grip 103 is coupled to the central clamp portion 200. The centralclamp portion 200 has a mounting interface 105. The hand grip 103 alsohas a mounting interface 104. A clamp mount knob 107 allows for thetightening and fastening of the hand grip 103 to the clamp portion 200.The clamp mount knob 107 may allow for tightening of a threaded featurerunning cross-wise through the clamp portion mounting interface 105 andthe hand grip mounting interface 104. A remote trigger 160 is adapted tofit within a recessed interface 106 on the end of the clamping portion200 to allow for remote triggering of a camera, or of otherfunctionality.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first configuration 150 of a multi-configurationclamp system while being held by a user. The central clamp portion hasbeen adjusted to a proper dimension to allow the clamp to clasp thesmart phone and has been tightened in this position. The slightlyresilient pads inside the perpendicular portions of the clamp allow somecompression of the pads, enhancing the clasping of the smart phone. Thehand grip is in a position up against the back of the clamping portionand has been tightened in this position. As seen, three of the user'sfingers are through the hand grip, but the index finger is at the top ofthe center clamp portion ready to actuate the wireless trigger. As seen,this configuration allows a user to get a much more convenient, useful,and sure grip on the smart phone and also avoids the user having to useanother hand to touch the phone to take a picture. The user may triggerthe shutter by tapping on the remote trigger, using the same hand thatis also holding the phone in the clamp system.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, a second configuration 151 of amulti-configuration clamp system includes a central clamp portion 200.The central clamp portion 200 may have interlocking mating piecesadapted to slide along an extension axis to allow for clamping arounddevices of different cross-sectional dimension. A clamp set lever 102 isadapted to tighten and fasten the two mating pieces of the clamp portionat the desired position. In this second configuration 151 the clampsystem is adapted to facilitate belt wearing or standing of a device, abelt clip 111 is coupled to the central clamp portion 200. The centralclamp portion 200 has a mounting interface. The belt loop also has amounting interface 104. A clamp mount knob 107 allows for the tighteningand fastening of the belt clip 111 to the clamp portion 200. The clampmount knob 107 may allow for tightening of a threaded feature runningcross-wise through the clamp portion mounting interface 105 and the handgrip mounting interface 104.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the second configuration 151 of the clampsystem gripping a smart phone while being worn on the belt of a user.The belt clip is rotated all the way back against the central clampportion.

FIG. 8-11 illustrate alternate configurations of the multi-configurationclamp system according to embodiments of the present invention. As seen,the hand grip can be placed and tightened into different positions thatallow to be used in different ways.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the clamp system wherein the central clampportion is coupled to a tripod interface. In this configuration, thesmart phone, or other device, may be positioned in any suitable mannerthat a tripod, or a flexible tripod, may support it.

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate aspects of the central clamp portion 200. A firstsliding piece 201 mates with and slides along a second sliding piece202. The first sliding piece 201 may have a perpendicular gripping end203 with a resilient portion 205. The second sliding piece 202 may havea perpendicular gripping end 204 with a resilient portion 206. Theeffective length of the central clamp portion may be adjusted by slidingthe two sliding pieces relative to each other. Once a desired locationis reached, the clamp lock lever 102 may be pushed rotationally totighten a threaded element, and firmly lock the two sliding piecestogether. Both ends of the central clamp portion may have recessesadapted to receive items such as a remote trigger, or other accessorysuch as a mounting accessory.

FIG. 18 illustrates a remote trigger 160 with a trigger button 161.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a belt clip 111. The belt clip 111 has a beltloop 112 adapted to fasten the clamping system over the belt of a user.FIG. 21 illustrates the hand grip 103. FIG. 22 illustrates the assemblywith a hand grip.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments maybe configured from the description given herein and additionaladvantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited tothe specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-configuration clip system, said systemcomprising: a central clip portion, said central clip portioncomprising: an adjustable length clip, said adjustable length clipadjustable along a first axis, said adjustable length clip adapted tohold a device in a first plane parallel to said first axis, wherein saidadjustable length clip has a first end and a second end, and whereinsaid adjustable length clip comprises a wireless trigger mount at saidfirst end; and a first locking mechanism adapted to lock the clip at acertain length along said first axis; a support portion, said supportportion comprising a handgrip, said handgrip comprising an extendedcurved member enclosing an inner space on at least three sides, saidsupport portion coupled to said central clip portion around a pivot axisthat allows said support portion to rotate from a first position behindsaid adjustable length clip to a second position below said adjustablelength clip, wherein said pivot axis is parallel to said first plane andwherein said pivot axis is perpendicular to said first axis; and asecond locking mechanism adapted to lock the position of said supportportion relative to said adjustable length clip.
 2. Themulti-configuration clip system of claim 1 wherein said wireless triggermount comprises a recessed interface on the first end of the adjustablelength clip.
 3. The multi-configuration clip system of claim 2 furthercomprising a wireless trigger mounted into said wireless trigger mount.4. The multi-configuration clip system of claim 1 further comprising awireless trigger mounted into said wireless trigger mount.
 5. Amulti-configuration clip system, said system comprising: a central clipportion, said central clip portion comprising: an adjustable lengthclip, said adjustable length clip adjustable along a first axis, saidadjustable length clip adapted to hold a device in a first planeparallel to said first axis, wherein said adjustable length clip has afirst end and a second end, and wherein said adjustable length clipcomprises a wireless trigger mount at a second end; and a first lockingmechanism adapted to lock the clip at a certain length along said firstaxis; a support portion, said support portion comprising a handgrip,said handgrip comprising an extended curved member enclosing an innerspace on at least three sides, said support portion coupled to saidcentral clip portion around a pivot axis that allows said supportportion to rotate from a first position behind said adjustable lengthclip to a second position below said adjustable length clip, whereinsaid pivot axis is parallel to said first plane and wherein said pivotaxis is perpendicular to said first axis, said inner space creating anopening adapted to allow the insertion of a user's fingers through saidopening in a direction parallel to said pivot axis; and a second lockingmechanism adapted to lock the position of said support portion relativeto said adjustable length clip.
 6. The multi-configuration clip systemof claim 5 wherein said wireless trigger mount comprises a recessedinterface on the second end of the adjustable length clip.
 7. Themulti-configuration clip system of claim 6 further comprising a wirelesstrigger mounted into said wireless trigger mount.
 8. Themulti-configuration clip system of claim 5 further comprising a wirelesstrigger mounted into said wireless trigger mount.
 9. Amulti-configuration clip system, said system comprising: a central clipportion, said central clip portion comprising: an adjustable lengthclip, said adjustable length clip adjustable along a first axis, saidadjustable length clip adapted to hold a device in a first planeparallel to said first axis, wherein said adjustable length clip has afirst end and a second end; and a first locking mechanism adapted tolock the clip at a certain length along said first axis; a supportportion, said support portion comprising a handgrip, said handgripcomprising an extended curved member enclosing an inner space on atleast three sides, said support portion coupled to said central clipportion around a pivot axis that allows said support portion to rotatefrom a first position behind said adjustable length clip to a secondposition below said adjustable length clip, wherein said pivot axis isparallel to said first plane and wherein said pivot axis isperpendicular to said first axis; and a second locking mechanism adaptedto lock the position of said support portion relative to said adjustablelength clip.